Published: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 10:56 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 10:56 p.m.

It’s been nearly a month since the South Carolina football team played a game, but that doesn’t mean the program hasn’t been busy.

Last week Carolina hired Deke Adams as its defensive line coach. He replaces Brad Lawing, who left to join the Florida staff.

Adams began his coaching career at Jacksonville State in 1997 and made stops at Pearl River Community College, Ouachita Baptist University, North Carolina A&T, Louisiana-Monroe and Southern Miss before spending last season at North Carolina.

USC head coach Steve Spurrier said he’s excited about Adams joining his staff and doesn’t think there will be a drop-off between Lawing and Adams.

“I don’t feel like we’re going to miss Coach Lawing. He’s an excellent coach, there’s no question about that, but we think Deke Adams is a very good coach,” Spurrier said. “He’s a guy that’s worked his way up. He coached at a bunch of small colleges. When you do a good job you sort of work your way up the ladder and now he’s at an SEC school, hopefully one of the best programs in the country.”

Spurrier said he has been impressed by what he’s seen of Adams thus far and added that Adams has already gotten to know some of the players pretty well.

“He’s sort of my kind of coach — good family man, wonderful personality. I think our players are really going to enjoy playing for him,” Spurrier said. “We’re glad he’s with us and we look forward to a lot of good years with coach Deke Adams here.”

In addition to a change on the coaching staff, Spurrier and his assistants had a number of recruits in over the last two weeks as Carolina is trying to finish off its recruiting class on a high note with a week remaining before National Signing Day.

The USC class is currently ranked in the Top 25 by all major recruiting services. Rivals and 247sports ranks the class No. 16 and ESPN puts it at No. 17.

Bryant will likely be counted on the most to come in and contribute immediately as the Gamecocks will be thin at linebacker with the graduation of starters Reginald Bowens and Shaq Wilson. Spur DeVonte Holloman also will be lost to graduation.

In addition to Bryant, USC has commitments from three-star linebackers Mohamed Camara, David Johnson and Gerald Turner.

Carolina also is still in the mix with four-star linebackers Skai Moore and Yannick Ngakoue and three-star linebackers Jonathan Walton and Tyrell Lyons.

The highest-ranked uncommitted prospect remaining on the USC board is four-star defensive tackle Keith Bryant, who is choosing between the Gamecocks, Florida State and Miami.

Spurrier said that he’s happy with his current recruits and hopes Carolina can add a couple more prospects within in the next week.

“Recruiting’s been going very well. We’re just about full. We’re still recruiting two or three guys that haven’t made up their mind yet,” he said.

<p>It's been nearly a month since the South Carolina football team played a game, but that doesn't mean the program hasn't been busy.</p><p>Last week Carolina hired Deke Adams as its defensive line coach. He replaces Brad Lawing, who left to join the Florida staff.</p><p>Adams began his coaching career at Jacksonville State in 1997 and made stops at Pearl River Community College, Ouachita Baptist University, North Carolina A&T, Louisiana-Monroe and Southern Miss before spending last season at North Carolina.</p><p>USC head coach Steve Spurrier said he's excited about Adams joining his staff and doesn't think there will be a drop-off between Lawing and Adams.</p><p>“I don't feel like we're going to miss Coach Lawing. He's an excellent coach, there's no question about that, but we think Deke Adams is a very good coach,” Spurrier said. “He's a guy that's worked his way up. He coached at a bunch of small colleges. When you do a good job you sort of work your way up the ladder and now he's at an SEC school, hopefully one of the best programs in the country.”</p><p>Spurrier said he has been impressed by what he's seen of Adams thus far and added that Adams has already gotten to know some of the players pretty well.</p><p>“He's sort of my kind of coach — good family man, wonderful personality. I think our players are really going to enjoy playing for him,” Spurrier said. “We're glad he's with us and we look forward to a lot of good years with coach Deke Adams here.”</p><p>In addition to a change on the coaching staff, Spurrier and his assistants had a number of recruits in over the last two weeks as Carolina is trying to finish off its recruiting class on a high note with a week remaining before National Signing Day.</p><p>The USC class is currently ranked in the Top 25 by all major recruiting services. Rivals and 247sports ranks the class No. 16 and ESPN puts it at No. 17.</p><p>The biggest commitments for the Gamecocks thus far are four-star linebacker Larenz Bryant, four-star defensive tackle Kelsey Griffin and four-star quarterback Connor Mitch.</p><p>Bryant will likely be counted on the most to come in and contribute immediately as the Gamecocks will be thin at linebacker with the graduation of starters Reginald Bowens and Shaq Wilson. Spur DeVonte Holloman also will be lost to graduation.</p><p>In addition to Bryant, USC has commitments from three-star linebackers Mohamed Camara, David Johnson and Gerald Turner.</p><p>Carolina also is still in the mix with four-star linebackers Skai Moore and Yannick Ngakoue and three-star linebackers Jonathan Walton and Tyrell Lyons.</p><p>The highest-ranked uncommitted prospect remaining on the USC board is four-star defensive tackle Keith Bryant, who is choosing between the Gamecocks, Florida State and Miami.</p><p>Spurrier said that he's happy with his current recruits and hopes Carolina can add a couple more prospects within in the next week.</p><p>“Recruiting's been going very well. We're just about full. We're still recruiting two or three guys that haven't made up their mind yet,” he said.</p>